MUSIC
I started playing the piano when I was three years old. However, as my mother was a violin teacher, she wanted me to play the violin. I was taken to observe some lessons and, there, I saw accompanists playing the piano. I decided I wanted to play it, so eventually my mother agreed and I started learning with Caroline Gowers, a Suzuki method piano teacher. I stayed with her until April 2014, when I had finished all the Suzuki method books. Following this, I switched to a piano teacher that I had taken lessons with at a summer residential course. In September 2014 I had the amazing opportunity to join the Junior Guildhall
to study with the same teacher.
LEARNING TO LOVE THE PIANO
I love playing the piano as it is very enjoyable and can be relaxing. I also adore the way it can be quite a challenge. I practise for one to two hours a day on school days, and one-and-a- half to three hours a day at weekends. It felt exhilarating to perform in a sold-out Royal Albert Hall. Many people who I knew were there, which was quite calming. Conquering my nerves really helps me to relax and play my best. The rehearsal with Lang Lang was quite relaxing – often he is quite tense but that day he was really nice and a pleasure to be with.
One of Dulwich’s most talented pianists, Alasdair Howell (Year 6) this year became the youngest pupil to give his own lunchtime recital, after which he went on to perform with the celebrated musician Lang Lang to a sold-out audience at the Royal Albert Hall. Here he explains how he first took up the instrument, and how he feels about performing
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